Water power generator

ABSTRACT

A tidal power generator has a floating vessel hull that is subject to rising and falling water levels so that the hull moves vertically up and down. Linear-to-rotary converters are coupled between the vessel hull and a fixed object. The converters allow the hull to move vertically while constraining the horizontal movement of the hull. The converters convert the vertical movement of the hull into rotary movement, which is then used to drive an electrical generator. A harborage is provided to protect the hull and the converters and to regulate the water level for the vessel hull as well as become a fixed object relative to the vessel from which a change in relative position causes power to be developed. If the hull is subject to tidal variations, vertical movement of the hull can be desynchronized from the tidal variations so as to store energy during slack tides.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of applicationSer. No. 11/715,003, filed Mar. 7, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,432,612which application was a continuation-in-part application of applicationSer. No. 11/448,503, filed Jun. 7, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,199,483which was a continuation-in-part patent application of application Ser.No. 11/064,579, filed Feb. 24, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,075,190.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to extracting energy from tides on waterbodies and from water head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most of the electricity generated in the United States requireshydrocarbon-based fuel sources such as coal, oil or natural gas. Theburning of such fuels produces harmful emissions that are both difficultand expensive to either contain, or remove, from the exhaust gasses.Also, the transport of these fuels from point of origin, to point ofprocessing (such as refining crude oil), to point of use not onlyrequires the expenditure of additional energy, but is inefficient,costly, potentially hazardous and creates further harmful emissions. Inaddition, most sources of liquid hydrocarbon-based fuels used in theUnited States are located outside of the United States. The politicalenvironments of many producing areas, such as the Middle East,Venezuela, Russia and Nigeria have been unstable in recent history.

Nuclear power plants pose an alternative generating source tohydrocarbon fuels. However, nuclear power plants are expensive to buildand pose security problems. Also, the disposal and storage of spentnuclear fuel is an expensive and a highly contentious problem. Publicperception of nuclear power plants is largely negative.

Solar panels are still another alternative. At present, solar panels arehigh in cost, very low in efficiency and are unusable at night and oncloudy or stormy days. Wind power, while available, is also dependent onthe weather as well as being inefficient and relatively expensive.

In contrast to solar and wind, the tides are highly regular, cyclingonce or twice each twenty-four hour period. Although the height of tidesvary due to factors such as coastline geography, the lunar cycle, and toa lesser degree, the direction and velocity of the wind, tides areremarkably constant and continuously changing. In some areas of theworld, the water level range may be as much as forty-four feet betweenhigh and low tide.

In the prior art, tides have been harnessed by opening and closing floodgates to impound a head of water. The impounded water drives turbines.Such schemes have been planned, if not actually used, in PassamaquoddyBay between Maine and New Brunswick, Canada. The continuous opening andclosing of the flood gates creates problems. Also, the efficiency issomewhat low because only part of the tidal rise and fall can be used.Marine life is adversely impacted as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a power generator that comprises aharborage with a vessel hull therein. A supply reservoir larger than theharborage is provided. The supply reservoir has a valved inlet subjectto fluctuating water levels of a water body. The reservoir communicateswith the harborage through a reservoir valve. A drainage area isprovided which is larger than the harborage. The drainage area has avalved outlet subject to fluctuating water levels of the water body. Thedrainage area communicates with the harborage through a drainage valve.The vessel hull is capable of rising and falling in the harborage as thelevel of water in the harborage changes independently of the water levelof the water body due to the reservoir supplying water to the harboragethrough the reservoir valve and the drainage area draining water fromthe harborage by way of the drainage valve. A linear-to-rotary converteris provided, with at least one part being coupled between the hull and afixed object. The converter converts the vertical movement of the hullinto rotational movement.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention the water body issubject to tidal activity.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the waterbody is subject to flooding.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the harboragecommunicates with the water body through a harborage valve.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention thevalved inlet allows the water level in the harborage to rise rapidly.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the valvedoutlet allows the water level in the harborage to fall rapidly.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the valvedinlet, the valved outlet, or both the valved inlet and the valvedoutlet, comprise multiple vanes.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention thesupply reservoir is a first supply reservoir, further comprising asecond supply reservoir. The second supply reservoir communicates withthe harborage through a second reservoir valve, the second supplyreservoir serves as a peaking reservoir.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention thedrainage area is a first drainage area, further comprising a seconddrainage area, the second drainage area communicating with the harboragethrough a second drainage valve, the second drainage area serving as apeaking drainage area.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention a water liftis provided, which water lift lifts water from a first elevation in theharborage to a higher second elevation outside of the harborage.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention thefirst elevation is located below the low tide of the water body.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention thewater lift comprises a bottom with an inclined side wall that extendsradially out from the bottom. The water lift forms an interior. Thewater lift rotates. The valved outlet communicates with the interior.

The present invention also provides an apparatus for raising andlowering a vessel hull. The apparatus comprises a harborage, with thevessel hull located therein. The vessel hull is capable of moving up anddown in the harborage. A water supply communicates with the harboragethrough a supply valve. The water supply provides water to the harborageto a high level. A water lift comprises a bottom with an inclined sidewall that extends up and radially out from the bottom. The water liftforms an interior. The water lift rotates. A drainage area is alsoprovided. A drain outlet allows communication between the harborage andthe water lift interior, wherein water in the interior of the rotatinglift moves up the side wall to a higher elevation than the bottom andexits the lift into the drainage area.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention the water supplyand the drainage area are subject to tidal activity.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the tidalactivity comprises a high tide level and a low tide level. The waterlift lifts water in the harborage that is below the low tide level to alevel that is at least as high as the low tide level.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention waterjets are directed at push surfaces on the water lift for rotating thewater lift. The water in the water jets drains into the drainage area.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention alinear-to-rotary converter is provided with at least one part beingcoupled between the hull and a fixed object. The converter converts thevertical movement of the hull into a rotational movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a hull and harborage enclosure arrangement asused with the present invention, in accordance with a preferredembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken through lines II-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a side wall of the harborageenclosure taken through lines of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the harborage enclosure, in accordance withanother embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a port in the harborage enclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates one type of linear-to-rotary converter, namely apiston-cylinder arrangement, between the vessel hull and a fixed object.

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement of piston-cylinders along a vessel side.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a master-slave cylinderarrangement, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one of the slavepiston-cylinders of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken at lines IX-IX of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the power generation system of thepresent invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a linear-to-rotary converter between the vessel and theharborage, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a detailed view of a gear arrangement used with the converterof FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a view of the vessel hull, in accordance with anotherembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a detail view showing a vertical guide for the vessel hull ofFIG. 13.

FIGS. 15-17 show the vessel hull of FIG. 13 in various verticalpositions.

FIG. 15 shows the vessel hull rising.

FIG. 16 shows the vessel hull at maximum vertical elevation with thevessel hull taking on water.

FIG. 17 shows the vessel hull at minimum vertical elevation with thewater being discharged therefrom.

FIG. 18 shows a lock or harborage, in accordance with anotherembodiment.

FIG. 19 shows the lock or harborage of FIG. 18 installed in a riverenvironment, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 20 is another embodiment that shows conduits in the bed of theriver, which conduits have power generating turbines therein.

FIG. 21 is a view of a harborage with a plurality of vessel hullsinside.

FIG. 22 shows two piston cylinders, as used on two vessel hulls in FIG.21, with one piston cylinder operating to allow its vessel to move upand down, while the other piston-cylinder is locked to retard thevertical movement of its vessel.

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a harborage subjected to tidal variations.

FIG. 24 is a side cross-sectional view of the harborage of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a graph showing the water level inside of the harborageduring a rising and falling tide.

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a harborage, in accordance with anotherembodiment, subject to fluctuating water levels.

FIG. 27 is a top plan view of a harborage, in accordance with anotherembodiment, subject to fluctuating water levels.

FIGS. 28A and 28B are side cross-sectional views of the harborage ofFIG. 27. FIG. 28A shows the valve arrangement in a closed configuration.FIG. 28B shows the valve arrangement in an open configuration and istaken through lines XXVIIIB-XXVIIIB of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of an arrangement of the harborages, subjectto fluctuating water levels.

FIG. 30 is a graph showing the water level inside of the vesselharborage of FIG. 29 during a rising and falling tide.

FIG. 31 is a top plan view of a harborage, in accordance with anotherembodiment.

FIG. 32 is a side cross-sectional view of the harborage of FIG. 31,taken through lines XXXII-XXXII.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a way to extract energy from the rise andfall of the tides as well as water head. A vessel hull is provided in aprotective harborage enclosure. Water from the tides is admitted intothe harborage so as to raise the vessel hull and released so as to lowerthe vessel hull. Mechanical converters are attached between the movablehull and a fixed object, such as the harborage itself; the convertersconvert the vertical movement of the hull into mechanical energy such aspressurized fluid, which is used to power various devices such as anelectrical generator. The electricity can be transmitted overconventional power lines to users.

Alternatively, a harborage or lock is provided in a situation wherewater head can be found, such as by a dam in a river. The vessel hullrises and falls within the harborage; that motion is converted intomechanical energy, such as pressurized fluid, which can be used for avariety of applications, such as rotating a turbine to produceelectrical power.

The vessel hull can be an ocean-going ship, an inland (fresh water)ship, a barge, etc. The vessel hull 11 can be a ship hull (see FIGS. 1and 2). After a ship has served a useful life, whether commercially ormilitarily, it is mothballed or scrapped. Using a scrapped ship hull inthis invention reduces costs and allows the serviceable life of the hullto be extended.

The hull is stripped of all non-essential equipment such as engines. Inaddition, the hull is sealed and made water tight. For example, thepropeller shaft can be removed and the shaft opening sealed. Componentssubject to bimetallic degradation are removed. The deck can also besealed in order to minimize the amount of freeboard. Minimizing theamount of freeboard allows for increased hull displacement, which inturn allows for an increase in power generation.

The vessel hull need not be a used hull, but could be constructed forthis particular purpose. For example, because the hull need only move upand down and does not need to move horizontally, the hull can be a largerectangular box without any drag-minimizing shapes or configurations.Such a hull can be designed to maximize buoyancy. The hull can be madeof metal, wood, composites (such as fiberglass) or other materials. Adeck or a top is provided on the hull in order to keep rain and waterfrom entering the hull. The weight of the hull 11 can be adjusted withballast and equipment. Most if not all of the electrical generationequipment can be located in the hull 11.

The side walls of the hull 11 can be strengthened if need be. To thisend, steel plates can be welded onto the inside or outside of a hull.

The harborage 13 receives the vessel hull 11 and allows the vessel hullto move vertically up and down with varying water levels. In someinstallations, the harborage protects the vessel hull and the otherequipment (such as the linear-to-rotary converters discussed below). Insome installations, the harborage serves to regulate the water level andthus the vertical movement of the vessel hull.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the harborage 13 surrounds the sides of the hull11 so as to protect the hull from wind and wave action. This isparticularly desirable where the harborage is located in bays or openwater and is subject to storms, ice or tsunamis. In most locations, theharborage completely surrounds the hull. However, in some locations, theharborage need not surround the hull but need only be between the roughwater and the hull, much like a break water. The harborage 13 has sidewalls 15. The side walls can be set into the bottom of a water body,such as a bay or channel, or it can be attached to a bottom wall 17which bears on the bottom of a water body. Underneath the bottom wall 17is some foundational structure. One of the walls forms a door 19 (seeFIG. 4) or doors that can be opened and closed. This allows the hull tobe floated through the open doors into the harborage, with the doorsclosing. Alternatively, the harborage can be left open with one wallmissing, until the hull is located therein. After the hull is locatedinside of the harborage, then the wall can be attached to close off theaccess opening. A roof 21 or top wall can be provided so as to fullyenclose the hull and allow the interior to be sheltered from theweather.

The harborage 13 can be of metal or concrete or even of earth walls. Forexample, the harborage could be a dry dock that is to be mothballed or acaisson that is floated to the desired location and then sunk. Theharborage could also be of the cofferdam type which has vertical steelpanels inserted into the bottom of a water body.

The harborage 13 is not water tight so as to allow water 22 to flow inand out. One or more ports 23, or openings, are provided in one or moreof the side walls 15. The ports 23 are located below the lowest level ofwater outside of the harborage, such as below the lowest tide.

In the preferred embodiment, the ports 23 are equipped with valves 25(see FIG. 4A). When the water level is lowered and the valves 25 areclosed, the harborage can be used to maintain or repair the vessel hull,much like a dry dock.

The ports 23 can also be equipped with impellers or turbines 27. Thevalves 25 are selectively opened and closed to regulate the amount ofwater flowing through the ports 23. The turbines 27 rotate when watermoves through the ports. The turbines are connected to electricgenerators. The turbines can be directly connected to generators, suchas by shafts 28 and gears. Alternatively, the turbines could drivehydraulic motors which in turn drive the electrical generators.

The harborage 13 is located so as to be subjected to different waterlevels. For example, the harborage could be located in a water body suchas a harbor or bay. Preferably, the harborage is located in an area witha large tidal swing, such as off the coasts of New England, or ofFrance, or in the Bay of Fundy, the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Seaalong India. The harborage could also be located in open water, muchlike a platform for oil and gas wells. The Gulf of Mexico, off theLouisiana coast, is heavily populated with such platforms.Alternatively, the harborage could be set into land, with a waterchannel that subjects the hull inside of the harborage to tidal activityor variable water levels. Such a harborage would be surrounded by landon three sides with the remaining side having one or more openings tothe water. Alternatively, the harborage could access a water body withtidal activity via a channel, such as a river, canal or large ducts.

FIG. 4 shows a harborage 13A in accordance with another embodiment. Theharborage 13A blocks a passage, such as in a break water, or a barrier.Ducts 28 are covered to protect the water on the sides from freezing incold weather. Alternatively, the ducts could serve as canals 28 on oneor both sides allow water to flow past the harborage. In thisembodiment, the harborage can act as a lock.

The harborage 13 is deep enough and large enough so that the hull isalways floating, even with low tide or low water levels. If theharborage is not deep enough, and there is no bottom wall, the bottomcan be dredged out or excavated to increase the depth beneath the hull.The side walls of the harborage are high enough to offer protection fromwind and waves, particularly in stormy weather. To minimize damage, thehull should be shielded from exposure to high wind and waves.

As the tides change, water moves in and out of the harborage. In thepreferred embodiment, the water ingresses and egresses the harboragethrough the ports 23. The doors 19 could be opened and closed to allowwater to move in and out of the harborage. When the tide is coming in,water enters the harborage through the ports 23, spins the turbines 27,and lifts the hull 11. When the tide is leaving, the water exits theharborage through the ports, spinning the turbines 27 and allowing thehull to lower. Thus, the hull moves vertically up and down inside of theharborage.

This motion of the hull 11 is captured by linear-to-rotary convertersbetween the hull and a fixed object, such as the harborage, the waterbody bottom, or in the case of an harborage adjacent to land, then theland itself. The hull movement can be captured by a number of types ofdevices. One such converter is a hydraulic cylinder and piston. Anothertype of converter uses levers and gears, while another uses cables andpulleys, while still another uses a rack and pinion gear.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a double acting piston and cylinder31. In the preferred embodiment, the cylinder 33 is coupled to thevessel hull 11, while the piston 35, mounted on a rod 37, is coupled toa fixed object 38, such as the harborage 13. Thus, the cylinder 33 moveswith the hull 11, while the piston 35 is fixed. The piston 35 dividesthe cylinder 33 into an upper chamber 39 and a lower chamber 41.Hydraulic lines 43 extend from each chamber through the vessel hull to aturbine 65 located in the vessel or on shore. As the vessel 11 rises,with an incoming tide or rising water level, the cylinder 33 moves up.The piston 35 pressurizes the hydraulic fluid in the lower chamber 41and provides a partial vacuum to the hydraulic fluid in the upperchamber 39. Conversely, as the vessel falls, with a receding tide, thepiston pressurizes the hydraulic fluid in the upper chamber 39 andprovides a partial vacuum to the hydraulic fluid in the lower chamber41. The hydraulic fluid can be a liquid or gas or a combination of both.The hydraulic fluid is preferably water, or even more preferably, apolymer or oil based liquid. A long chain polymer liquid is less likelyto leak around the piston.

The piston and cylinder can be made of ceramic. Ceramic is strong andcan withstand large forces that are applied to the piston and cylinder.Ceramic can be finely machined to provide for tight tolerances betweenthe piston and the cylinder. With tight tolerances, such as on the orderof microns of clearance between the piston and the cylinder, no sealbetween the piston and the cylinder is required. A hydraulic fluid withlong chain polymers will not leak past the cylinder.

As an alternative, the piston 35 could be coupled to the vessel wall andthe cylinder 33 fixed stationary.

What makes a ship hull 11 particularly suited for reaping power from thetides is the large size of the vessel. The vessel has a largedisplacement (typically several thousands of tons, up to tens ofthousands of tons). Thus, the force available is large, which in turnmeans that large amounts of electrical power can be generated. As shownin FIG. 6, a number of piston-cylinders 31 can be attached along eachside of the vessel hull, with all sides having piston-cylinders. Thecylinders 33 can be vertically staggered so as to allow for tighterpacking and to increase the number of cylinders along a side of thehull. The piston-cylinders allow the vessel hull to move vertically, butconstrain the vessel hull from moving horizontally.

The bottom of the vessel hull can be provided with piston-cylinders.Thus, the piston-cylinders or other linear-to-rotary converters, can beplaced along the sides of the vessel hull and the bottom of the vesselhull.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate another type of hydraulic cylinder. There isprovided a master cylinder 42, or outer cylinder. A number of smallercylinders, or slave cylinders 44, are provided on the inside of themaster cylinder 42. The smaller cylinders 44 are ganged together so asto work in unison.

This master cylinder arrangement is useful where wide temperature rangesare experienced. Such wide temperature variations make cylinders proneto leakage around the pistons, particularly under high pressure.

The master cylinder 42 is equipped with two end plates 45, as shown inFIG. 7. The plates 45 are movable with respect to the master cylinder42. The master cylinder 42 is configured as is the cylinder 33 shown inFIG. 5, in that the master cylinder moves with the hull 11 and theplates 45 and their rods 47 are fixed. The piston rods 49 of the slavecylinders 44 are attached to the master cylinder plates 45. Thecylinders 51 of the slave cylinders 43 are attached to the mastercylinder 42. Thus, any movement of the master cylinder also moves theslave cylinders 51 about their fixed slave pistons 53. The mastercylinder protects the slave cylinders from the environment and providessome thermal protection.

FIG. 8 shows a slave piston 53. The piston 53 has ceramic or metalplates 55, interweaved with air or graphite plates or elements 57. Thisarrangement provides a seal, particularly under high pressures. Thepiston arrangement of FIG. 8 can also be used in a single cylinder andneed not be used in a slave cylinder.

The slave cylinders 44 are packed into the master cylinder 42. FIG. 9illustrates such an arrangement, where there is an outer ring of slavecylinders and a center slave cylinder.

FIG. 10 shows how electrical power is generated from a piston-cylinder31. The pressurized hydraulic fluid is output from each piston-cylinder31 into a turbine 65, impeller, compressor or gear motor, wherein thepressurized fluid does the work by imparting rotation to the turbine. Animpeller is a wheel-like device having vanes or cups on its outerperiphery. The pressurized fluid impacts the impeller to rotate theimpeller. There is little or no leakage, or slippage, of the pressurizedfluid past the vanes or cups in the impeller, thereby providing a highdegree of efficiency. This rotation drives a gear box 61, which in turndrives an electric generator 67. One-way, or check, valves 63 arelocated in each line 43 between the cylinder 31 and the turbine 65. Thevalves 63 direct the pressurized fluid from the cylinder into theturbine and away from the low pressure side of the cylinder. Fluid exitsthe turbine 65 and returns to the low pressure side of the cylinderthrough check valves 71. An accumulator can be optionally used on thehigh pressure side of the cylinder. A low pressure accumulator can beoptionally used on the low pressure side of the cylinder. Also, thelines 43 from several piston-cylinders 31 can be connected together todrive a single turbine. Because the cylinders are double acting,pressurized fluid is produced on both the rising and the ebbing tides.

The tides have slack periods, namely at high tide and at low tide. Theseslack periods are when the flow of water in a water body changesdirection. During slack tides, no pressurized fluid is produced by thevessel. Also, the tides are not constant. Neap tides are lower thannormal, while spring tides are higher than normal. Neap and spring tidesoccur over numerous cycles.

Because it is uneconomical to store large amounts of electricity inbatteries, electricity must be produced as it is used. One way to smoothout the fluctuations in the tides and produce electricity constantly, ornearly so, is to regulate the water flowing through the ports 23 (seeFIG. 4A) of the harborage 13. The ports are equipped with valves 25 thatregulate the size of the openings. The ports are sized small enough,with the valves, to slow the filling of the harborage or release ofwater therefrom. For example, if high tide occurs at 6:00 am, with slacktide between 5:00 to 7:00 am, then the ports are sized so that the watercontinues to flow into the harborage until 7:00 am. The ports are sizedby knowing the water capacity of the harborage and the height of thetides. At 7:00 am, the tide starts to recede and water begins to exitthe harborage. A slack or low tide is between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, sowater exits the harborage until 7:00 pm. In other words, the ports aresized to slow the flow of water in and out of the harborage. This allowsthe vessel hull 11 to almost always be moving either up or down. Theshort periods of time when the vessel changes direction can becompensated for by the high pressure accumulator 61. Because the heightand speed of the tides vary, the valves 25 can be adjusted on a frequentbasis.

Still another way to smooth out the tidal variations and slack tides isto retard the vertical movement of the vessel hull. For example, on arising tide, the piston-cylinders can retard the rise of the hull. Thiscan be accomplished by putting an orifice on the output lines 43 of thepiston-cylinder, which orifice limits the amount of fluid exiting fromthe cylinder. Thus, as the vessel hull is being buoyed up by the risingwater in the harborage, the piston-cylinders extend at a slower rate dueto the resistance of the orifices, and effectively slows the ascent ofthe vessel hull. Conversely, as the water level in the harborage drops,such as due to an ebbing tide, descent of the vessel hull is slowed bycontracting of the piston-cylinders, which contraction is slowed byorifices in the hydraulic lines. Regulating the fluid output of thepiston-cylinders allows for smoother operation of the electricalgeneration equipment. The orifices can be fixed or variable.

Retarding, or resisting, the vertical movement of the vessel hull alsoalters the displacement of the vessel hull. For example, on a risingtide, the vessel hull displacement increases as the water line on thevessel hull moves up. On a receding tide, the vessel hull displacementdecreases, as the water line on the vessel hull drops down. In bothcases, potential energy is accumulated. This potential energy can becaptured by opening the orifices and allowing the vessel hull to move toits normal displacement.

Regulating the flow of water in and out of the harborage or retardingvertical movement of the hull serve to desynchronize the verticalmovement of the vessel hull from the tidal variations. Specifically, thevertical movement of the vessel hull lags the tidal variations. Thisallows energy to be stored and used during slack tides.

FIG. 11 shows another converter, in accordance with another embodiment.The converter 71 is a hydraulic cylinder having two ends 73, 75. One end73 is pivotally coupled to the vessel hull 11, while the other end 75 ispivotally coupled to a fixed object. The cylinder 71 has a pistoncontained therein. The piston can be a double acting piston or a singleacting piston. All sides of the vessel wall will have the converters 71.

As the vessel rises and falls, the orientation of the cylinder changes.This causes the overall length between the two ends 73, 75 to change,thereby moving the piston within the cylinder and producing pressurizedfluid. The hydraulic cylinders 71 minimize horizontal movement of thevessel hull so as to keep the hull centered or otherwise properlypositioned in the desired location. The hydraulic cylinders 71 act asshock absorbers and reduce the stress on the hull. The hydrauliccylinder 71-vessel hull arrangement of FIG. 11 can be used without aharborage.

The rotary movement of the piston-cylinder at the ends 73, 75 can betapped for electrical generation. A set of gears is located at each endto amplify or increase the rotational speed. FIG. 12 illustrates onesuch gear amplifier. A primary gear 77 is fixed to the cylinder or armat the respective end. The primary gear 77 and a secondary gear 79 forma planetary gear arrangement. Other gears 81, 83, 85 are used if neededto obtain the speed necessary to drive an electrical generator.

The present invention can also be used in non-tidal situations. The riseand fall of the tides can be emulated by a lock in a river or otherdownhill flowing water body. In a lock, a vessel hull is raised byfilling the lock with water from upstream. The vessel hull is lowered bydraining the water from the lock on the downstream side.

FIG. 4 illustrates a harborage that can be used as a lock. FIG. 4 showsan end view, such as from the downstream end. The main body of the lockreceives the vessel hull. Doors on hinges are shown on the downstreamend. Both ends, the downstream end and the upstream end, have ports (orducts or channels) for the ingress and egress of water to and from theharborage or lock. The ports have valves so as to control the flow ofwater through the ports.

In operation, the upstream ports are opened to allow water to flow intothe lock. The vessel hull rises. Linear-to-rotary converters, such asthe piston-cylinder arrangements described above, convert the upwardmovement of hull to rotary movement. Once the hull is at its maximumvertical height, the upstream ports are closed and the downstream portsare opened to release water from the lock. The vessel hull drops inelevation and the linear-to-rotary converters convert the downwardmovement of the hull to rotary movement. In lieu of ports in the doors,the upstream doors can be opened to admit water to the lock, while thedownstream doors can be opened to release water from the lock.

The linear-to-rotary converters described herein limit the horizontalmovement of the vessel hull. Thus, for example, in the lock arrangement,the doors can be opened and the vessel remains inside, merely rising orfalling in a vertical manner. The vessel thus stays in the lock.

Because the vessel hull need not move horizontally, the vessel hull canbe designed so as to maximize the displacement-to-perimeter ratio. Forexample, with an ocean going ship, the hull is tapered, especially atthe bow and stern sections. The vessel hull in a lock or harborage canbe box-like in order to maximize its displacement. The perimeter of thehull, where the linear-to-rotary converters connect to, can be smallrelative to this displacement. By so maximizing thedisplacement-to-perimeter ratio, the vertical rise and fall of thevessel hull can be fully taken advantage of.

An advantage of the lock arrangement is that the frequency of verticalhull movement is independent of the tides. In some locations, a tidalcycle of a high tide and a low tide may span 24 hours. This allows onlya single rise and a single fall of the vessel hull. With a lockpositioned by a water body with some head relative to sea level, such asat a dam or in a river, the number of rises and falls of the vessel hullcan be increased over a 24 hour period, thereby generating far moreenergy.

The lock of FIG. 4 shows two lateral canals. These are optional andallow water to flow on one or both sides of the lock.

The harborage can be used as a lock or as an ancillary device to a lock.In a lock, a vessel is transported between an upper water level and alower water level. As an ancillary device to a lock, the water from thelock is discharged into the harborage. The vessel hull in the harborageis raised by the water discharged from the lock. To lower the vesselhull, water is discharged from the harborage. Thus, vessel transport canbe accommodated by the lock, while power can be generated by the waterused in the lock. The harborage can be at the same elevation as thelock, wherein, the water level in the harborage can only rise to part ofthe elevation of the upper water level. When the two water levels in thelock and harborage are equal, the remaining water in the lock isdischarged downstream and not into the harborage. Alternatively, theharborage may be set at a lower elevation than the lock so as to achievea higher vertical movement of the vessel hull.

The harborage can also be used independently of a lock. For example, ariver has a drop in elevation over some distance. Water from upstream,the upper water level, can be conveyed by a channel or conduitindependent of the river channel to the harborage, and water can bedischarged from the harborage to a lower water level in the river byconduit or channel.

FIGS. 13-17 show the vessel hull 111 in accordance with anotherembodiment. The linear-to-rotary converters can be coupled to the bottomof the vessel hull, as shown in FIG. 13. The converters are shown aspiston-cylinder arrangements 31. The cylinders 33 can be coupled eitherto earth 38 (shown on the left side of FIG. 13) or to the vessel hull(shown on the right side of FIG. 13), while the pistons are coupled tothe opposite member of the cylinder.

The vessel hull 111 is unique in that its displacement changes,depending upon its vertical position. On a rising water level, thedisplacement of the vessel hull is lower than when the water level isdropping. Because the displacement changes, more energy can be extractedfrom the vertical movement. On a rising water level, the lowerdisplacement exerts a greater pull on the piston-cylinder arrangements31. This results in higher pressures developed by the piston-cylinderarrangements 31. On a falling water level, the heavier displacementexerts a greater push on the piston-cylinder arrangements, once againproviding higher pressures therefrom. The vessel hull 111 need not havea harborage and can be used in salt or fresh water environments (such asa lock).

The vessel hull 111 has a base 113 and side walls 115. The base 113 andside walls 115 form a container that can hold water. The container isinterior of the vessel hull. The top of the vessel hull can be eitheropen or closed with a deck. If closed, a vent to the interior isprovided to allow the taking on and discharge of water to and from theinterior. The bottom of the side walls 115 is open, unless closed by thebase 113. A seal 117 is provided between the side walls and the base toform a water-tight container. The base 113 floats and has positivebuoyancy, while the side walls 115 have neutral buoyancy, or evennegative buoyancy.

As shown in FIG. 14, the vertical movement of the vessel hull is alongguides 119 or posts. The posts 119 are securely anchored to the earth38. The base 113 has openings 121 therethrough for receiving the posts119. The base can move vertically along the posts. Seals or bushings(not shown) are provided in the base openings to limit the leakage ofwater therethrough. The side walls 115 have cavities 123 therein, whichcavities are open at the bottom of the side walls and receive the upperends of the posts 119. The thickness of the side walls at the cavitiescan be increased in order to accommodate the cavities. Each cavity 123has a top end 125 which acts as a stop to the lower movement in the sidewalls. The base has no such limitation on its lowermost movement. Theupper end of each post has a stop 127 for limiting upper movement of thebase and the side walls. The stop for limiting the upper movement can beon the exterior of the vessel hull, such as a wall that contacts theupper side of the side walls. Likewise, the stop for limiting the lowermovement of the side walls can also be exterior of the vessel hull.

The operation of the vessel hull 111 will now be described withreference to FIGS. 15-17. FIG. 15 depicts the vessel hull 111 on arising water level 131. The base 113 and side walls 115 are together andform a water-tight vessel hull. The vessel hull is empty of water andthereby floats high on the water, following the water up in verticalelevation, guided by the posts 119. The piston-cylinder arrangements 31create pressurized fluid from this vertical movement.

The upward movement of the vessel hull is limited by stops 127 (see FIG.14) on the posts 119. The stops engage the base (or optionally the sidewalls) and prevent the vessel hull from floating up beyond a topposition. Because the side walls are not positively buoyant, the sidewalls stay engaged on the base as the water rises.

The upper limit of the vessel hull is designed so that the water levelcan continue to rise along the side walls 115 of the vessel hull. Asshown in FIG. 16, when the water rises high enough, the water enters thevessel hull either over the top rim or through ports. The ports can beset below the top rim of the vessel hull to prevent complete filling ofthe vessel hull and maintains some positive buoyancy. The addition ofwater to the vessel hull increases the mass and thus the displacement ofthe vessel hull.

When the water level falls outside of the vessel hull, the vessel hulldrops in elevation, along the posts 119 and the piston-cylinderarrangements 31 create pressurized fluid. The top ends of the posts thencontact the stop surfaces 125 (see FIG. 14) in the side walls to limitthe downward movement of the side walls. The base has no such limitationand continues its downward motion. Thus, the base separates from theside walls, breaking the seal so as to form a port or opening andallowing the water inside the vessel hull to discharge, as shown in FIG.17. The water level outside the side walls will drop to a position wherethe base breaks free of the side walls.

On the next rising water level, the base rejoins with the side walls,being pushed up by the water level to engage the side walls and form awater-tight vessel hull once again. The base 113 is preferably providedwith a lip around the outer periphery thereof.

The vessel hull can also be provided with ports in the nature of thoseshown in FIG. 4A. That is to say, that the vessel hull can be providedwith ports equipped with turbines so that as water flows in and out ofthe vessel hull, this flow can be used to generate rotational movementand in turn used to generate electrical power.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show a lock or harborage 201 used in conjunction with ariver environment. The lock or harborage 201 has a vessel 203 therein.When used as a harborage, the vessel 203 remains inside as the level ofwater rises and falls. The vessel is connected to linear-to-rotaryconverters as discussed above. When used as a lock, the vessel 203passes through, using the lock to raise or lower to a desired elevation.The vessel in lock is typically not connected to linear-to-rotaryconverters. Whether used as a harborage or lock 201, power is generatedfrom water flowing into and out of the harborage or lock (hereinafterreferred to as a “harborage”).

The harborage 201 has an inlet conduit 205 and an outlet conduit 207.The inlet or outlet conduits 205, 207 are provided with valves 208. Theinlet conduit 205 extends to a first body of water 209, while the outletconduit 207 extends to a second body of water 211. The elevation of thefirst body of water 209 is higher than the elevation in the second bodyof water 211, thus creating a pressure differential or head. A turbine27 is located in either the inlet conduit 205, the outlet conduit 207 orboth. The turbine 27 is connected to an electrical generator 67 asdescribed above. The turbine 27 rotates and generates electrical powerwhen the water flows through the respective conduit. If the harborage201 is filling, water flows into the harborage via the inlet conduit205. The flowing water rotates the turbine 27 in the inlet conduit. Theturbine in turn drives an electrical generator 67 to produce electricalpower. The outlet conduit 207 is closed during filling of the harborage.The water level in the harborage 201 rises, as does the vessel. If thewater level in the harborage 201 is lowered, water flows through theoutlet conduit 207, rotating the turbine therein. The inlet conduit 205is closed during emptying of the harborage. The water level inside ofthe harborage falls, thereby lowering the vessel 203. If the vessel 203is coupled to a linear-to-rotary converter, then electrical power can beproduced from filling and emptying the harborage and raising andlowering the vessel 203.

The head across the turbine 27 and thus the amount of energy that can beextracted can be increased by extending one or more conduits 205, 207 toa body of water with a more extreme head. Referring to FIG. 19 forexample, the harborage 201 is located near a dam 213. The inlet conduit205 thus draws water from the lake 209 impounded by the dam. Supposethat the level of lake 209 is 458 feet above sea level. The outletconduit 207 can drain to the water below the dam. Suppose that the waterlevel immediately below the dam (point A) is 412 feet above sea level.The water level 6.7 miles downstream from the dam is 405 feet. If theoutlet conduit 207 discharges immediately below the dam, the head wouldbe 46 feet. If the outlet conduit discharges several miles downstreamfrom the dam, at point B in FIG. 19, the head would be 53 feet. Thus,the head is increased by extending the outlet conduit 207 furtherdownstream. Likewise, the harborage can be located at a lower elevation,such as at point B, downstream from the dam, while the inlet conduit 205is located at the impounded lake 209.

The harborage 201 and conduits 205, 207 can be used without a dam.

FIG. 19 illustrates that the conduits 205, 207 can be located outside ofthe stream or river bed 215. The conduit can cut across a bend in theriver. This shortens the amount of conduit needed. For example, if theriver 215 is 6.7 miles from point A to point B, which river bed has acurve or bend, the conduit, without curves, is only 3.88 miles frompoint A to point B.

FIG. 20 illustrates the conduit 205 located within the river bed 215.This is particularly useful where the river is straight, but can also beused on a river with bends and curves. In FIG. 20, the harborage 201 islocated downstream. The conduit 205 has a turbine 27 therein, locatednear the harborage 201. The conduit can be submerged so as to be out ofsight and so as not to interfere with navigation. The upper end of theconduit has a collector 217 so that some water flowing downstream willenter the conduit. The upper end, or intake end, can be elevated fromthe river bottom in order to minimize the amount of silt collected bythe conduit.

FIG. 20 also illustrates the use of conduits and turbines withoutharborages. A conduit 221 has an upper end 223 at a first elevation anda lower end 225 at a second elevation, which is lower than the firstelevation. The upper end 223 collects water, which water flows throughthe conduit due to the drop in elevation. The flowing water turns theturbine 27, which turbine then generates electrical power by way of agenerator. The water is discharged back into the river. Thus, theconduit 221 is similar to the conduit 205, except as to where the wateris discharged. The conduit 205 discharges into a harborage, while theconduit 221 discharges into the river.

The lower end 225 of the conduit 221 has a venturi. The venturi, orexpander, causes a pressure drop after the turbine 27. The venturi isuseful for increasing the pressure differential or head across theturbine. The venturi is particularly useful in increasing head in ariver or stream bed that is relatively flat or has a low head. Theventuri need not be located at the lower end of the conduit, but can belocated upstream or above the lower end.

Another conduit 227 is similar to conduit 221 but discharges into awater utilization system 229, such as a water treatment plant. Conduit227 is especially useful for bringing water from a pure sourcedownstream to where the river is polluted.

The conduits 205, 207, 221, 227 of the present invention do notinterfere with the flow of water in a river bed or channel. This is adistinct advantage over building a dam, which necessarily interfereswith the flow of water by virtue of the fact that the water is impoundedby the dam. Furthermore, the building of a conduit or pipeline is lessexpensive than the building of a dam. A conduit or pipeline can createthe same head or pressure as the dam but without the capital expense. Inaddition, because water is not impounded, thereby not altering theriverbank, the conduit of the present invention will not affect wildlifeor populations located along the banks of the river as does the dam.Furthermore, because the water flow is not impeded by the conduit, as itis with the dam, there is no silting problem. With dams, as water entersthe reservoir impacted by the dam, the water typically contains a loadof silt which is deposited on the bottom of the reservoir. Over a periodof years, this silt builds up and diminishes the capacity of thereservoir.

A harborage 13B can contain two or more vessel hulls 11, as shown inFIG. 21. Each vessel hull 11 is equipped with one or morepiston-cylinders 31, as shown in FIG. 22. The harborage 13B can belocated so as to be subjected to tidal variation. As discussed, theharborage can be located in a bay or other salt water body, or exposedto salt water. Alternatively, the harborage can be located so as beexposed to fresh water, such as along a river. The harborage 13B hasports in the form of an inlet 301 and an outlet 303. If the harborage issubjected to river water, the inlet is at a higher elevation (anupstream location) than the outlet (a downstream location). If theharborage is subjected to tidal variation, then separate inlets andoutlet are not needed as one port can serve to both allow water in theharborage and exit the harborage. The inlet 301 and outlet 303 havevalves 304.

The vertical movement of the hulls 11 can be retarded so as to storeenergy. One way to retard the vertical movement is by opening andclosing the inlet 301 and outlet 303. This has been discussed above withrespect to tidal variations, as the water level inside of the harboragecan be controlled independently of the water level outside the harborageby opening and closing valves in the ports 301, 303.

Another way to retard vertical movement of the hulls 11 is by equippingthe lines 43 from the piston-cylinders 31 with valves 305. The verticalmovement of each vessel hull can be independently controlled relative tothe other vessel hulls. For example, the harborage can be flooded withwater, causing all of the vessels 11 to rise. The water in the harboragecan be lowered by opening the outlet 303. Some of the vessel hulls 11Ahave their valves open and these hulls fall as shown in FIG. 22. Othervessel hulls 11B have their valves 305 closed and these hulls remain up,even as the water level falls. At some later time, these hulls 11B canbe lowered by opening the valves. By regulating the rise and fall ofindividual hulls 11, or groups (11A, 11B, 11C) of hulls, the storedenergy can be used over a period of time, thus regulating the productionof power.

FIGS. 23 and 24 show a harborage 13 subject to tidal variations. Tidesrise (flood) and fall (ebb) over several hours. For example, from lowtide to high tide, the rise in water level typically takes about sixhours. Likewise, the fall in water level from high tide to low tide alsotakes about six hours. The present invention regulates the flow of waterinto and out of the harborage and allows the vessel 11 to rise and fallseveral times during a single rising tide, thereby extracting moreenergy than previously obtainable. Likewise, the present inventionallows the vessel to rise and fall several times during a single fallingtide.

Referring to FIG. 23, the harborage 13 has an inlet 401 and an outlet403. Both the inlet and the outlet have a valve 405 for controlling theflow of water. The inlet 401 communicates with a body of water 407 thatis subject to tidal variations, such as a bay. The outlet 403communicates with a discharge pond 409 that is isolated from the waterbody 407 by a wall 411. The discharge pond 409 communicates with thewater body 407 by a valved outlet 413. The inlet 401 and the outlets403, 413 are located at or near ground 415 level. The inlet 401 andoutlets 403, 413 are sized to achieve high flow volumes. There may bemultiple inlets and outlets. The valves in the inlets and outlets can beoperated independently so that one inlet can be operated while the otherinlets are closed and likewise for the outlets. There can be severaldischarge ponds, separated from one another by walls or levees. Thedischarge ponds can be interconnected by valved ports and can all drainto the body of water 407.

The outlet 413 can drain to the body of water 407 at a location near theshore. Alternatively, the outlet 413 can drain to the water body 407 atan offshore location. The water level is believed to be lower offshorethan it is near to shore, particularly at low tide. For example, theoutlet can extend a mile or so offshore to take advantage of the lowertide level offshore and thus the lower head. The difference in waterlevel at the drainage pond and at an offshore location will depend on anumber of features such as the underwater geography.

The harborage 13 contains one or more vessel hulls 11. The vessel hulls11 can be fixed displacement or variable displacement, as discussedabove. Each vessel hull 11 has a piston-cylinder 31 arrangement toproduce pressurized fluid as the hull rises and falls.

The discharge pond 409 is larger than the harborage 13 in terms of areaand volume. The discharge pond 409 accepts water from the harborage 13without an appreciable rise in water level inside of the discharge pond.

Referring to FIGS. 23-25, the operation of the harborage 13 will now bedescribed. On a rising tide, the water level outside the harborage willrise from a low tide elevation to a high tide elevation, with severalintermediate positions (tide level 1, tide level 2, tide level 3, tidelevel 4). As the tide rises from low tide to tide level 1, the inlet 401of the harborage is opened, the harborage outlet 403 is closed and thewater level 417 inside the harborage rises. Consequently, the vessel 11rises and power is generated by the piston cylinders 31. (In FIG. 25,the harborage water level, when differing from the tide level, is shownin dashed lines.) When the water level reaches tide level 1, the inlet401 is closed and the outlet 403 is opened. The water in the harborage13 thus drains into the drainage pond 409. The vessel 11 falls on thefalling water level, generating power. By the time the water from theharborage has emptied into the drainage pond 409, the tide outside ofthe harborage has risen to tide level 2. The harborage outlet 407 isclosed and the harborage inlet 401 is opened. Water thus flows into theharborage from the water body 407 and the water level 417 inside of theharborage rises. The vessel 11 rises as well, generating power. As shownby FIG. 25, the water level inside of the harborage from tide level 2 totide level 3 rises faster than the tide outside of the harborage. Whenthe water levels inside and outside the harborage are equal or close tobeing equal, designated as tide level 3, the harborage inlet 401 closesand the outlet 403 opens. Water from inside the harborage drains intothe drainage pond 409. The water level and the vessel in the harboragefall, thereby generating power. The harborage will drain back down tothe low tide level, if the discharge pond is large enough. If thedischarge pond is not sufficiently large, then the harborage water levelwill fall to the level of the discharge pond. After the harborage waterlevel has fallen to its lowest level, the outlet 403 is closed. The tideis now at tide level 4; the inlet 401 is opened. The water level in theharborage 13 then rises at a faster rate than the tide. At high tide,the tide is at its peak. Once again, the vessel rises on the risingwater level and generates power.

Thus, the vessel can rise and fall several times during a single risingtide from low tide to high tide by taking advantage of the differentwater levels between the water body 407 and the discharge pond 409.Consequently, more power can be produced. During the rising tide, thedischarge pond outlet 413 remains closed.

As the tide falls, the harborage 13 can continue to take advantage ofthe different water levels between the water body 407 and the dischargepond 409, allowing the vessel to rise and fall several times. Onceagain, the discharge pond outlet 413 remains closed as the tide falls.

As the tide falls from high tide, the harborage inlet 401 is closed andthe outlet 403 is opened to drain the water from the harborage 13 intothe discharge pond 409. The vessel 11 thus falls faster than the tide inthe water body. When the water in the harborage stops draining at tidelevel 4, the harborage outlet 403 is closed and the inlet 401 is opened.The water level in the harborage 13 thus rises to the level of the tide,tide level 3. Likewise, the vessel 11 rises and power is produced. Theharborage inlet 401 is then closed and the outlet 403 is opened to drainthe harborage into the discharge pond. The harborage water level fallsas does the vessel 11 and power is generated. At tide level 2, theharborage is drained as low as possible and the outlet 403 is closed.The inlet 401 is opened and the outlet 403 closed to allow the harboragewater level to rise. The vessel also rises, producing power. At tidelevel 1, the water level inside of the harborage is the same as the tidelevel. The inlet 401 can remain open so that as the tide falls, thewater level inside of the harborage will also fall by exiting back tothe water body 407. The vessel falls as well producing power.Alternatively, if the water level in the discharge pond is lower, theharborage can be drained into the discharge pond as the tide falls tolow tide.

At or near low tide, the discharge pond outlet 413 is opened so as todrain the water inside of the discharge pond 409 into the water body407. The discharge pond will typically be provided with a number ofoutlets 413 in order to drain the discharge pond during the relativelyshort low tide time period. Once the discharge pond is drained, theoutlet 413 is closed and the cycle is then repeated. If a long outletextending offshore is used, then the level of water can be dropped evenlower than local, inshore low tide. A long outlet extending offshore canbe used for the harborage as well in order to drop the water levelinside the harborage at low tide to the offshore level.

The valves in the inlet 401 and outlet 403 need not be opened and closedat the same tide levels for a falling tide as for a rising tide. Forexample, the inlet 401 is described as being opened at tide level 4 forboth the rising tide and the falling tide. This is for simplicity in theexplanation of the operation. In practice, the inlet may be opened atone tide level on a rising tide and opened again at another tide levelon a falling tide. In other words, tide level 4 on a rising tide doesnot necessarily equal tide level 4 on a falling tide. The same is truefor the other tide levels on the rising and falling tides.

Also, the number of cycles of the vessel rising and falling on a risingtide may differ from the number of cycles on a falling tide. The numberof cycles depends on the duration of the changing tide between slacktides (between high and low tides), the duration of moving water intoand out of the harborage and the water level in the discharge pond.Initially, at tide level 1, only one inlet may be used to flow waterinto the harborage and one outlet to the drainage pond. As the volume ofwater increases, more inlets and outlets may be used to move more waterin and out of the harborage.

In the harborage, plural vessels can be provided and can be made to riseand fall independently of each other. This is particularly useful forgenerating power at slack tide, as discussed above. For example, on arising tide, some vessels can be allowed to rise to generate power,while other vessels are held in a down position by valves in thehydraulic lines 43 (see FIG. 22) or orifices to slow down the verticalmovement of the vessel. At high tide, these vessels are allowed to riseto generate power. As still another example, on a falling tide, somevessels can be allowed to fall to generate power, while other vesselsare held up by valves in the hydraulic lines 43 or orifices therein. Atlower or low tide, these vessels are allowed to fall to generate power.Thus, power can be produced continuously.

The discharge pond 409 can be used as a reservoir for high water. Forexample, at high tide, the outlet 413 can be opened to fill thedischarge pond with water at the level of the high tide. As the tide inthe water body 407 falls, the harborage is filled with water from thedischarge pond by way of outlet 403 and drains into the water body byway of inlet 401. The vessel thus will fall to the level of the tide inthe water body 407, while rising to the level of the high tide. As analternative, a reservoir pond separate from the discharge pond can beused to provide the high tide water. The reservoir pond is rechargedwith high tide water at each high tide by way of a valved inlet.

The harborage 13 can be configured to rapidly fill with water andrapidly drain water. By allowing the water to rapidly rise and fall,more energy can be produced over a period of time, as more rise and fallcycles can be made to occur over the course of a day.

FIG. 26 shows a harborage 13 similar to that shown in FIG. 23. Theharborage 13 in FIG. 26 has a number of inlet and outlet ports 401, 403.The inlet ports 401, when fully open, present a relatively large surfacearea so that large volumes of water can pass through in a short periodof time. Each inlet port 401 has a valve 405. To allow the most volumeof water through the inlet, all of the inlet valves 405 are opened. Toregulate the volume of water flow, some of the valves are opened, whilethe remaining inlet valves are closed. Likewise, the outlet ports 403are provided with valves 405 that can be operated independently of eachother.

FIG. 27 shows a harborage in accordance with another embodiment. Theinlet and outlet ports 421, 423 are large in cross-sectional area andare opened and closed by way of vane type valves 425. As shown in FIGS.28A and 28B, the vanes move between open and closed positions. FIG. 28Ashown the vanes 425 in the closed position, while FIG. 28B shows thevanes in the fully open position. The vanes can be partially open toregulate the flow of water therethrough. When the vanes change fromfully closed to fully open, large volumes of water can flowtherethrough.

Thus, with the harborages shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, water can flowrapidly in and out to quickly change the water level inside theharborage.

FIG. 29 shows an arrangement of harborages 13, reservoirs 13H anddrainage areas 13L. The reservoirs 13H can be considered harborages,while the drainage areas 13L can also be considered harborages. Forpurposes of the example shown in FIG. 29, the harborages 13 are equippedwith vessel hulls 11. The other harborages 13H and 13L could also beequipped for vessel hulls. Each harborage has adjacent harborages andcommunicates with these adjacent harborages by way of valved ports. Inthe example shown in FIG. 29, the valves are vanes 425; however, thevalves can be other types of vanes as well. The harborages cancommunicate with non-adjacent harborages by way of appropriate conduitssuch as piping 427. The harborages communicate with a water body 407 byway of valved ports.

The arrangement of FIG. 29 allows plural cycles of rising and fallingduring a single tidal cycle. FIG. 30 illustrates this concept. One ormore harborages 13 have vessel hulls 11 therein. The harborages 13Lserve as drainage areas while the harborages 13H serve as waterreservoirs. The water reservoirs 13H and drainage areas 13L are manytimes larger in area and volume than the harborages 13. The waterreservoirs 13H are filled by opening gates or valves A at high tide ofthe water body 407. Once the reservoirs 13H are filled, these valves Aare closed. The drainage areas 13L are emptied into the water body 407at low tide by opening gates or valves E. Once emptied, these valves Eare closed.

FIG. 30 begins at low tide. At that time, the reservoirs 13H are fulland the drainage areas 13L are emptied. In this example, the harborages13 are also emptied.

Valves B are opened to fill the harborages 13 with water from thereservoirs 13H. The vessels 11 inside of the harborages 13 rise. Eachtime the vessels rise or fall, power is produced by way of thelinear-to-rotary converters. When the vessel harborages 13 are full,valves B are closed. In order to conserve volume in the drainage area13L, the water in the vessel harborages 13 is first drained to the waterbody as that water level is still relatively low. Valves C are opened todrain most of the water from the vessel harborages 13 into the waterbody 407. Once the water levels in the vessel harborages 13 equalizewith the water body level, valves C are closed. Valves D are then openedto drain water from the vessel harborages 13 into the drainage areas13L. The vessels 11 fall during this falling water level.

This cycle can be repeated to raise and lower the vessel 11 while thetide is rising in the water body 407. However, the water body is nolonger at low tide; because the tide is rising, it has a water levelthat is relatively high; valves C are opened until the water levelsbetween the water body and the vessel harborages 13 equalize. Thisconserves water volume and head in the reservoirs 13H. Once the waterlevel is equalized, valves C are closed and valves D are opened. Thewater levels in the vessel harborages 13 rise, as do the vessels. Oncethe water levels equalize between the reservoirs 13H and harborages 13,valves D are closed.

Then, valves C are opened to drain some of the water from the harborages13 into the water body 407. Once the water level equalizes, valves C areclosed and valves D are opened to drain water into the drainage areas13L. The vessels fall with the falling water levels inside of theharborages. Once drained, valves D are closed and valves C are opened.

If the reservoirs 13H and the drainage areas 13L are large enough, thenvalves C need not be utilized. Instead, the reservoirs can be used tocompletely fill the harborages 13, while the drainage areas can be usedto drain the harborage 13.

As the water body tide approaches its peak, the harborages 13 cancommunicate directly with the water body 407 by opening valves C to fillthe harborages 13. To drain the harborages 13, valves C are closed andvalves D are opened. Valves A are also opened at high tide to rechargethe reservoirs 13H and raise the water levels therein.

On a falling tide, the harborages 13 are filled first by opening valvesC and then once the water levels have equalized between the harborages13 and the water body 407, closing valves C and opening valves B. Todrain the harborages 13, valves C are opened until water levels equalizeand then valves C are closed and valves D are opened. At low tide,valves E are opened to drain the drainage areas 13L.

The example above has just focused on opening the reservoirs 13Htogether in unison. However, the reservoirs 13H can be operatedindependently of each other, with one or more serving as “peaking”reservoirs to provide a higher water level. For example, when fillingthe harborages 13, first the water body 407 is used to the extent thatthere is any higher water level in the water body relative to theharborages. Then, a first reservoir can be used to fill the harborages13 to a next higher water level, followed by a second reservoir. Thefirst reservoir provides more water volume to the harborages than doesthe second reservoir, so the water level in the first reservoir dropsmore than the water level in the second reservoir. One or morereservoirs can be used to provide low volumes of water, yet at highwater levels. Such reservoirs “peak” the water level in the harborages.The same can hold true of the drainage areas.

Although the water body 407 has been discussed as being subject to tidalactivity, it could be areas that flood such as along rivers or lakes.

Tide levels may vary over time. For example, in spring tides, the lowtides are lower than average, while the high tides are higher thanaverage. Conversely, for neap tides, the low tides are higher thanaverage, while the high tides are lower than average. Because of thisvariation in tide level, the drainage areas may be located at aparticular low tide level.

The drainage areas can be made at or above low tide level. However, fora drainage area above low tide level, a water lift is needed to lift thewater out of the lower elevation to the drainage area. For example, lowtide level water is lifted to the drainage area. A water lift can alsobe used to lift water out of the harborage into the water body. Thus,the water body serves as the drainage area.

Various lifts can be used, such as a pump. However, the water liftpreferably uses less power to lift water out of the harborage than isprovide from the harborage. One such water lift 441 is shown in FIGS. 31and 32. The lift 441 uses a rotating dish, pan or bowl 443 to impartcentrifugal force to the water and drive the water up and out of thebowl. The bowl 443 is located in a drainage area 13L. The bowl 443 isgenerally circular in plan view and has a bottom 445 and a side wall447. The side wall 447 is angled to the outside and extends up andradially out from the bottom wall 445. In other words, the outsidediameter of the side wall 441 is less at the bottom wall than at theupper rim 449. The bowl could have a curved bottom and side wall. Thebowl 443 forms an interior 451 for receiving water.

A drain conduit 453 extends from the harborage 13 to the bottom 445 ofthe pan. In the preferred embodiment, the drain conduit 451 is slopeddown from the harborage to the bowl and enters the bowl from underneath.The drain conduit has a valve 455.

The drainage area 13L has a floor 457 or bottom that is above the bowlbottom 445. The drainage area floor 457 extends underneath the upper rim449 of the bowl. This portion of the drainage area floor that isunderneath the bowl 443 is inclined up in order to direct water on thedrainage area floor away from the bowl.

The bowl 443 rotates relative to the drainage area floor 457 and theconduit 453. The bowl 443 can be rotated in a number of ways. Forexample, a motor can be used, whether the motor is driven by electricityor is of the internal combustion type. Alternatively, wind power can beused, wherein wind foils are mounted to the bowl.

FIGS. 31 and 32 show another way to rotate the bowl, namely by waterpressure. The outside of the bowl 443 has vanes 459 or push surfaces,which vanes are above the drainage area floor 457, as well as any waterlevel that may be on the drainage area floor. A supply reservoir 13Hwith a sufficient head of water provides water to rotate the bowl. Aconduit 461 and nozzles 463 are provided to direct jets of water intothe vanes. There can be a number of nozzles 463 which extend partiallyor fully around the bowl perimeter. The pressure from the water jets isprovided by the head of water and the supply reservoir 13H. The supplyreservoir for the lift can be different from or the same as the supplyreservoir for the harborage. A valve 465 is provided in the conduit 461.

In operation, the harborage is filled as described above, using waterfrom a supply reservoir 13H. Then, the harborage is drained into thedrainage area 13L. Filling and draining the harborage raises and lowersthe vessel hull 11, which uses linear-to-rotary converters. To drain theharborage 13, the harborage is first drained directly into the drainagearea 13L, using the vaned outlets 425. The vanes 425 are opened andwater in the harborage drains into the drainage area. While the water isdraining from the harborage, the nozzle conduit valve 465 is opened.Water hits the bowl vanes 459 and causes the bowl to rotate. When thewater in the harborage is at the level of the water in the drainage area13L, water stops flowing through the vanes 425. The vanes 425 are closedand the lift 441 can be used. The drainage conduit valve 455 is opened.Water in the harborage 13 drains into the conduit 453 and enters theinterior 451 of the bowl. The last portion of the conduit 453 can beprovided with a corkscrew arrangement 454 of vanes to impart somerotation to the flow of water as it enters the bowl interior 451. Therotation in the bowl imparts centrifugal force to the water therein andcauses the water to move radially out. It is believed that frictionbetween the bowl surface and the water imparts centrifugal force to thewater. To increase the centrifugal force imparted to the water, theinterior surface of the bowl can be roughened. Ridges can also be used,which ridges protrude up from the bowl. The water moves up the side wall447, until the water exits the bowl over the rim 449. The water thenfalls into the drainage area 13L. The bowl 443 keeps rotating, liftingthe water out of the harborage to a higher elevation in the drainagearea. When the harborage is effectively emptied (the harborage need onlybe emptied to the extent that the vessel hull is at its bottomposition), the valve 455 is closed. The harborage can be refilled againwith water. The drainage area 13L can be emptied at the next low tide.

The advantage of using the lift 441 is that water in the harborage canbe drained below the level of low tide. The harborage can be dug deeperthan low tide level to lower the lowest water level. The inlet to thedrainage conduit 453 is located below this lowest water level. As shownin FIG. 32, the vertical distance between high and low tides is shown asX. The vertical distance between high tide and the lowest water level inthe harborage is shown as Y. The distance Y is greater than the distanceX. Thus, the amount of head and vertical movement in the harborage canbe increased beyond the tidal variance available at the water body. Thisis particularly useful in areas of relatively low tidal variance. Forexample, suppose that tidal variance is 4 feet between high and lowtides. With this arrangement, the variance in the harborage can be more,say 12 feet. Water would be lifted 8 feet or more from the lowest levelof the harborage to the drainage area floor, which need only be at lowtide level.

Still another advantage is the elimination of large drainage areas. Thelift can be such that it lifts water to high tide level. Thus, the watercan be lifted and returned directly to the water body. In such anarrangement, the vaned outlet 425 between the harborage 13 and thedrainage area 13L is opened only when the water level in the drainagearea (the water body) is below the level of water in the harborage. Thevaned outlet 425 need not be used at all, with the water lift 441lifting all of the water out of the harborage. However this arrangementuses more power to rotate the bowl as more water must be lifted.

The foregoing disclosure and showings made in the drawings are merelyillustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to beinterpreted in a limiting sense.

1. A power generator, comprising: a) a harborage with a vessel hulltherein; b) a supply reservoir larger than the harborage, the supplyreservoir having a valved inlet subject to fluctuating water levels of awater body, the reservoir communicating with the harborage through areservoir valve; c) a drainage area larger than the harborage, thedrainage area having a valved outlet subject to fluctuating water levelsof the water body, the drainage area communicating with the harboragethrough a drainage valve; d) the vessel hull capable of rising andfalling in the harborage as a level of water in the harborage changesindependently of the water level of the water body due to the reservoirsupplying water to the harborage through the reservoir valve and thedrainage area draining water from the harborage by way of the drainagevalve; e) a linear-to-rotary converter, at least one part of which iscoupled between the hull and a fixed object, the converter convertingthe vertical movement of the hull into rotational movement.
 2. The powergenerator of claim 1 wherein the water body is subject to tidalactivity.
 3. The power generator of claim 1 wherein the water body issubject to flooding.
 4. The power generator of claim 1 wherein theharborage communicates with the water body through a harborage valve. 5.The power generator of claim 1 wherein the valved inlet allows the waterlevel in the harborage to rise rapidly.
 6. The power generator of claim5 wherein the valved inlet comprises multiple vanes.
 7. The powergenerator of claim 1 wherein the valved outlet allows the water level inthe harborage to fall rapidly.
 8. The power generator of claim 7 whereinthe valved outlet comprises multiple vanes.
 9. The power generator ofclaim 1 wherein: a) the valved inlet allows the water level in theharborage to rise rapidly; b) the valved outlet allows the water levelin the harborage to fall rapidly; c) each of the valved inlet and thevalved outlet comprise multiple vanes.
 10. The power generator of claim1 wherein the supply reservoir is a first supply reservoir, furthercomprising a second supply reservoir, the second supply reservoircommunicating with the harborage through a second reservoir valve, thesecond supply reservoir serving as a peaking reservoir.
 11. The powergenerator of claim 1 wherein the drainage area is a first drainage area,further comprising a second drainage area, the second drainage areacommunicating with the harborage through a second drainage valve, thesecond drainage area serving as a peaking drainage area.
 12. The powergenerator of claim 1 further comprising a water lift for lifting waterfrom a first elevation in the harborage to a higher second elevationoutside of the harborage.
 13. The power generator of claim 12 whereinthe first elevation is located below low tide of the water body.
 14. Thepower generator of claim 1 wherein the water lift comprises a bottomwith an inclined side wall that extends radially out from the bottom,the water lift forming an interior, the water lift rotates, the valvedoutlet communicates with the interior.
 15. An apparatus for raising andlowering a vessel hull, comprising: a) a harborage, with the vessel hulllocated therein, the vessel hull capable of moving up and down in theharborage; b) a water supply communicating with the harborage through asupply valve, the water supply providing water to the harborage to ahigh level; c) a water lift comprising a bottom with an inclined sidewall that extends up and radially out from the bottom, the water liftforming an interior, the water lift rotating; d) a drainage area; e) adrain outlet allowing communication between the harborage and the waterlift interior, wherein water in the interior of the rotating lift movesup the side wall to a higher elevation than the bottom and exits thelift into the drainage area.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein thewater supply and the drainage area are subject to tidal activity. 17.The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the tidal activity comprises a hightide level and a low tide level, the water lift lifting water in theharborage that is below the low tide level to a level that is at leastas high as the low tide level.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15 furthercomprising water jets directed at push surfaces in the water lift forrotating the water lift, the water in the water jets draining into thedrainage area.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising alinear-to-rotary converter, at least one part of which is coupledbetween the hull and a fixed object, the converter converting thevertical movement of the hull into rotational movement.